Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Why the Oyster Has the Pearl

Just signed a new book contract for WHY THE OYSTER HAS THE PEARL with Pelican Publishing Company. Bethanne Hill is the illustrator. We are hoping for a fall 2011 release! Yippee!! This is my favorite story I have ever written and I can't wait to see it in print!

Thank you Pelican Publishing for your continued support of my work! Merci beaucoup!!!

"Johnette Downing has done it again." - The Advocate Reviews THERE WAS AN OLD LADY WHO SWALLOWED SOME BUGS

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

L'Observateur calls There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed Some Bugs a "Crowd Pleaser."

BOOK REVIEW


"One of the latest local books to hit the shelves is “There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed Some Bugs” by Johnette Downing. Downing is a New Orleans-based children’s author an entertainer. She performed at St. John the Baptist Parish public libraries this summer as part of the annual summer reading program.

With her latest book, Downing takes the familiar tale of the old lady who swallowed a fly and adds her own twist.

The uniquely illustrated book has a few things going for it. Children will enjoy both the singsong quality and the funny ending. It is sure to be a crowd-pleaser for months to come."

By David Vitrano, L’Observateur, 12/10

Monday, December 6, 2010

Two New Books this January!!

TODAY IS MONDAY IN NEW YORK

and

AMAZON ALPHABET

are expected to arrive on January 15, 2011!

What a great way to start the New Year!!

Hurrah!

Reader Views Reviews THERE WAS AN OLD LADY WHO SWALLOWED SOME BUGS

Reviewed by Zoey Crane (age 6) for Reader Views (12/10)

THERE WAS AN OLD LADY WHO SWALLOWED SOME BUGS
by Johnette Downing


What a cute new way to add onto the old classic. This is such a catchy-written book that you will find yourself singing the tune! The pictures are so cute – it looks as if someone made them using crafts.

Zoey:
“Fun, Fun! After you read it you should sing it. Then you can teach your friends a new song. It was very easy to read and I really liked the pictures. It looked like the person who did the pictures [the illustrator] made the pictures out of craft paper. I love to do crafts and it gave me some good ideas. Everyone knows this song and so now we just have new words. I bet that old lady had a full tummy of everything she ate.”

Nana:
“There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed Some Bugs” was a fun book for Zoey. She really loved the new version of this story and after she quit laughing at all the bugs the old lady ate she started singing the song. It is a catchy tune and you can’t help but sing it.